The West Bengal government launched an artificial intelligence-enabled app enabling commuters know about the real-time location of over 700 state-run buses and other related information.

According to Rachpal Singh, chairman of West Bengal Transport Corporation, the app called “Patha Disha” once downloaded on one’s phone can inform on availability of seats and specific buses and estimated time of arrival at the destination. It even provides data on how crowded the bus is.

“The app was launched in sync with the prepaid electronic transport card. The app analyses commuter behaviour, commuting pattern and feedback for smooth service. The real-time tracking services and prepaid system will be extended to trams and waterway transit services as well,” Singh said.

The prepaid card is modelled on London’s Oyster Card which is plastic pay-as-you-go card. Users are entitled to all public transport options such as bus, Tube, tram, London Overground, rail, River Bus and most National Rail services within London.

Under the revamped public transport system in Kolkata, buses will be equipped with GPS and CCTV cameras.

In case of accidents, the app can be used to alert police, hospitals and fire stations.

AI report

Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered wearables will provide an impetus to the stagnant wearables segment, to make it grow 376 per cent annually to reach 60 million units in 2017, a new report said on Friday.

According to the market research firm Counterpoint Research, categories such as “AI-powered hearables” will be instrumental to drive major growth with Apple again leading the way to catalyze this trend.

“Wearables have not seen the expected momentum so far because they have struggled on the lines of a stronger human computer interaction (HCI) which can enable powerful experiences,” said Research Associate Parv Sharma said.

“AI will not only enhance the user experience to drive higher usage of wearables but also will make wearables smarter and intelligent to help us achieve more,” he added.

The study pointed out that “hearables” will contribute to 50 per cent of the AI-powered wearables in 2017 and will be the fastest growing category with a growth of over 2,500 per cent annually. Apple will have 78 per cent market share in 2017 in AI-based hearables.

Smartwatches with AI will contribute to 42 per cent of the market. Activity trackers will witness a growth of 545 per cent and will contribute to four per cent of the market.

Other wearable devices like Head Mounted Displays (HMD) and virtual reality (VR) Headsets will also be integrated with AI in 2017 but will remain a niche market.

“With AI integration in wearables, we are entering ‘wearable 2.0’ era. Major growth in the segment is driven by the hearable market which includes devices like Apple AirPods, Beats and other innovative products from lesser known brands like Bragi Dash,” Counterpoint Analyst Karn Chauhan added.

The growth for this category will be driven by proliferation of Amazon’s Alexa into third party hardware from smartwatches such as Martian and hearables such as ONvocal.